Sugar took exception to his theatrics and tried to bite him again!
For that reason only—or so Phoenix told herself—she backed up a few steps more. “Get out.”
His lip curled. “I am out.”
“Good.” She closed the door in his face.
From outside the kitchen, he said, “You’re blaming me for shit I didn’t do!”
She leaned close to the window, saying loud enough that he’d hear, but without his edge of anger, “There’s plenty you did do, so deal with it.”
Throwing his hands in the air, Harry turned and stalked away. She watched until she couldn’t see him anymore, then she sat down on the floor with Sugar in her arms and tried to reason through what he’d said.
That was where Cooper found her when he walked into the kitchen, showered, freshly shaved and dressed.
He did a double-take on his way to the coffeepot. “What’s going on? Why are you sitting down there?”
She idly played with Sugar’s left ear. “Harry was here.”
Almost in slow motion, Cooper pivoted, an empty mug in his hand, to stare at her. “Why didn’t you come get me?”
“It was fine,” she said, reassuring him. “But it upset Sugar.” That probably sounded dumb since Sugar was now lounged back in her arms like a baby, ears hanging down and eyes closed.
Cooper didn’t move. In fact, he seemed glued to the spot. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t hear the arguing.”
At that, he thunked down the cup and came to crouch in front of her. “There was arguing?”
“A little.” She looked at his face—a face that every day became more dear to her. A weird sort of pride had her mouth quirking. “Know what?”
He waited.
“I argued as much as he did. Maybe more. I think that took him by surprise.”
He searched her face, then his softened. “So you weren’t afraid?”
“I was cautious,” she promised, not wanting him to worry about her. “But no, I wasn’t afraid. When I first saw him, I was furious. Odd, I know, but Sugar was freaking out and that reminded me of how he’d mistreated the dog. More than anything, I just wanted to smack him.”
Cooper looked down at the dog, now peacefully asleep. His mouth quirked, too. “She feels safe with you.”
Just as Phoenix felt safe with Cooper. “I’m glad.”
“So.” His gaze rose to meet hers. “What did old Harry want?”
“He was offended that we’re blaming him for things he says he didn’t do. I mentioned the firecrackers to him, and Cooper...he looked honestly confused, like he really hadn’t done it.”
“No doubt he’s an excellent liar.”
“Probably, but I think I believe him. He also said something about us sending a goon to harass him last night.” She further explained everything Harry had said. “Do you think David might’ve somehow known about Harry and visited him?”
“I suppose it’s possible.” To her surprise, he sat back and draped his wrists over his knees. “If he’d been watching the place, he might’ve seen Gibb here and known something was up. If he followed him—”
“Then he could have seen Gibb talking to Harry.” But that would require a lot of coincidence and perfect timing.
When her cell phone rang, she set Sugar aside to lift a hip and draw the phone from her back pocket. The dog plopped down beside her with a sigh, already dozing off again.
Phoenix didn’t recognize the number, so she answered with a polite, “Hello?”
“Phoenix? It’s me, David.”
*
Coop nodded his thanks when Phoenix, appearing staggered by the unexpected call, pushed the speaker button so he could listen in.
“David, hi.” She cleared her throat. “Um, what’s up?”
Her effort at casual banter, which sounded strained to Coop, must have convinced David.
Her ex blew out a breath, then said in a rush, “I owe you a big apology.”
“Oh?” Her gaze locked with Coop’s. “An apology for what?”
“Angie told me you called. She also told me that she wasn’t very nice.” David sounded tortured with that admission. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, David. I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Well, not really.”
His laugh was sad and strangely exhausted. “She didn’t know that I’d visited you. I figured she wouldn’t understand, but I knew it was wrong to keep it from her. When I finally told her, she admitted that you’d called.”
Phoenix licked her lips, thinking. But she was smart, so Coop wasn’t surprised when she said, “I hope I didn’t cause any problems. I want only the best for you.”
“I know. I feel the same about you.” There was a beat of silence, then David asked, “Why did you call? I admit I wasn’t expecting it.”
“I had wanted to ask you something, but you changed your number and I couldn’t connect on any of the familiar places like Facebook.”
He sighed. “Fact is, after what happened to you, I was pretty shook up.” He hesitated, then rushed on, saying, “I loved you, Phoenix, but then you broke things off and—don’t feel bad, but I was a mess. If it hadn’t been for Angie, I’d probably still be sitting in the house you chose, moping about things I couldn’t change and making myself a miserable bastard.”
Coop watched her close, guilt in her eyes. “I am so sorry.”
“Please don’t be. Things were rough, I admit, but if they hadn’t played out as they did, I wouldn’t be with Angie now. Honestly, Phoenix, I’m happy. That’s why I visited, to make sure you knew because, hon, I know you and I figured you’d be feeling bad. I didn’t want that.”
She nodded, swallowing hard. “Thank you.”
“I also knew Angie wouldn’t understand. She thinks I’m still hung up on you.”
“But you’re not,” Phoenix said fiercely.
To Coop, it only sounded a little like a question.
“I’m not,” David confirmed. “I love Angie.” He laughed, then added, “I’m working with her dad now and it’s great, and I’m living with Angie until we have our house built. We’ve bought the land and we’re working with the architect. It’s exciting and fun and...” His voice trailed off. “I guess you don’t need all the details. But if you ever want to reach out, you can use this number.”
Gently now, Phoenix said, “Thank you, David.”
“So why did you want to talk to me?”
Coop saw her thinking fast, and he knew the minute she thought of a good reason other than the truth: that they’d thought he might’ve been there to cause trouble.
“That day you visited, something weird happened.”
“Weird?”
“It’s not important, but I wondered if maybe you saw anyone, I don’t know—suspicious—hanging around?”
Concern edged his voice, making him sound urgent. “What happened? Were you hurt?”
“Not really, just scared.” She gave the bare bones of the incident. “It was the noise that startled me the most. I thought it was someone shooting.”
“Jesus, Phoenix. After what you went through, you had to be panicked.”
“A little,” she admitted.
Coop frowned. Why did David have to press her? If he truly knew her at all, he’d know showing fear was a problem for her.
“You don’t have any ideas?” David asked.
“Unfortunately, no.”
There was a heavy pause, and then he said with dawning concern, “You thought it might’ve been me, didn’t you?”
Looking pained, she said, “Not really, no.” She bit her lip before adding, “Others mentioned the possibility.”
“Honestly, I can see why. But I swear to you, I wouldn’t—”
She interrupted him to say, “I never really believed it, David. I promise.”
“I’m glad.” Except for the sound of his breathing, David was silent a moment. “I wish I could help, but that day I was so focused on seeing you, on making sure you were okay, I didn’t really pay attention.”
“I understand.”
“We’re still friends, honey. If you ever need me, please let me know, okay?”
Softly, Phoenix pointed out the obvious. “Angie wouldn’t like that.”
“I’ll make her understand. Just promise me you’ll call if—”
“No,” she said, her voice gentle. “I appreciate it, David, I really do, but as you said, we’ve moved on. We each have other, more important people in our lives now.” At that, she met Coop’s eyes.